hindreth Piety andagodly lifè. Treati f Y fourth generali reafon againfl this abiolute Repro- bation is , It is a hindrance to Piety. It is a doctrine that ferveth greatly to difcourage holinefie and encourage profaneneire : It maketh Minifiers (by its natural' import, ment) negligentin their prcaching,praying , and ocher Cer- vices vvhich are ordained of God for the eternal' good of their people : It maketh people careleffe in hearing, readings praying, inftruding their families , examining their confci- ences,fatlingand mourning for their finnes , añd al] other godly exercifes : In a word, it cutteth afunder thevery finews ofreligion, and pulleth away the firongeft inducements to a holy life. Therefore it is no trie and wholefome doctrine. That it doth fo, it will appear by thefe reafons that fol- low. I, It taketh (4) away Hope and Fear; Hope of atteiriing any good by godlinelfe,Fear offufteining any hurt by wicked® nef e: and fo it taketh away two principal) props of Religion. This reafon may be refolved into thefe twobranches. I. Hope and Fear uphold God!inelle. Were it not for thefe, it would come to ruine:by thefe are men firongly led on to virtue, andwithheld from vice. Hope Both excitare, ffirte men up tobegin, and corroborare , ftrcngthen them in the doing ofany good a Lionbegun. By this hope of heaven dici our Saviour 'titre up hicnfelf to endure the croffe, and defpife' thefhame, Heb. I x. t. By this he heartned his dilciples to do and to Puffer for his fake, Mattb. .I t. and Martin- to 3 L. By this have all thegodly in all ages encouraged themfelvcs in wehdoing: as wemay fee in general!, Phil. 3. to. Col. r.90 Tir, L, IL, 13. and in particular, Hob. Id . Abraham left his countreyand kindred at Gods call, bccaure be lookedfora. citie wbofe builder andmaker was God, verf. 8.9, I o, Mores left all thepfeafures and trea(cres ofEgypt , and endured of fliaions with the peopleofGod, becaufe heraw him that was invi`ble, and had rcfpef to the recorrpenfeofreward,v.LSsL7 The Martyrs (R ) endured racks, gibbets, lyo.ns, (word, fire, with a world of other torments , becaufe they locked for a better refurreaion, verf.;ç. Fatal endeavoureth alrvayes to' keepa clear tongcience , through the hope which he had of a bleíl'ed refurredion , Ads L4, t 55. All the noble and heroick aas of Alive and paflive obedience have Cprun ¡rem the hope 405 IV. It it pre. jradiciaD to PJarta:
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